Arenal to Playa Carrillo/Samara (April 29)

We were pretty sad to leave this wonderful hotel and place, but it was time to move on to Samara & Playa Carrillo on the Nicoya Peninsula. We really enjoyed our stay in Arenal and the Arenal Nayara Hotel. The weather was more than we could've asked for. Apparently, people come to see the volcano and never get to see it their entire stay, because of the clouds and weather. We had multiple days and nights of great, clear weather. The service at the hotel was outstanding, too. We had a flat tire when we arrived (a slow leak) and they took it to town to repair it for us, as well as put on our full-size spare - an all at no charge! They were very friendly and accomodating.

Hanging out while Mommy & Daddy finish packing up

There were little millipede or caterpillar type things all over the hotel grounds. The kids loved them and protected them from being stepped on. Hudson is holding one in this picture.

this is how much the clouds can come in and hide the volcano. Thankfully, it only did this on the morning we were leaving.

This big herd of cows blocked the road for a little bit.

We've seen these funny cows (Brahma) with the big hump often in Costa Rica

To get from Arenal to the coast, you have to drive around Lake Arenal - a huge and beautiful lake. From looking at the map, it seems to be one of few, if not the only lake in Costa Rica. It took at least an hour to get around the lake.

We're not in the rain forest anymore. The vegetation and topography changed a lot throughout our 4 1/2 hour drive. The roads were way better than the roads in Puerto Viejo area, thankfully!

They still have full-service gas stations here. They clean your windows and fill your tank. It seems like forever ago that we had that in the States.

Some more views from our drive as we get closer to our destination.

Costa Rica's "Puente la Amistad" bridge ("Costa Rica-Taiwan Friendship Bridge"), built by the Taiwanese government across the Tempisque river in Guanacaste province, was officially opened on April 10, 2003. The 780m bridge was constructed by Taiwanese engineers RSEA for some US$27mn and improved access to the Nicoya peninsula. Works began July 2000 and were originally due by December 2002. Before the bridge, residents had to withstand long lines and tolls to cross the river by ferry or long alternate land routes. The crossing has now reduced the trip from San Jose to Nicoya to 3.5 hrs from 5 hrs and will be cost-free. After 30 years of service, the ferry is now be closed. The bridge is the region's second-largest next to Panama's 1,650m Las Americas. Ever since current Costa Rican President Oscar Arias cut off relationships with Taiwan, the bridge is now colloquially known as Puente de la Apuñalada (Back stab Bridge).

The towns all seem to look pretty much the same throughout Costa Rica that we've seen. This is either Nicoya or towns around there - I can't remember.

This is Samara - looking toward the beach

and in the other direction. It's a small beach town.

Here's our rental house. It was a bit funky, but it was new and clean, which I really appreciated. We were the second renters. It wasn't exactly what we expected and envisioned from the pictures online, but it worked out. We stayed just outside Samara in Carrillo Beach.

the street we lived on.

the other direction

The kitchen and living space were upstairs

there was a patio up and downstairs. Both had gates surrounding them that could be opened. This place was really like Fort Knox. There were top of the line locks on all doors and windows and gates surrounding the patios. Our neighbor had a high voltage fence!

Two of the bedrooms were downstairs - this is the kids' room. After the first 2 weeks in Buenos Aires, the kids learned how to and have been great at sleeping in the same room or even same bed - and Kerrigan in her little travel cot/tent. It's been great to have Kerrigan's bed, not only, because it's so portable, but because she has slept great in it; we haven't had to worry about her falling out of bed and it has netting that has kept her safe from bugs.

our room - a little sterile and not the most romantic, but at least it was clean and comfortable!

the downstairs bathroom. Again, nice and clean and a great shower.

The kids loved the spiral staircase and the 2 rolling desk chairs that they rolled around on their bellies.

They were doing some work on part of the yard that was fenced off for safety. The pool was a bit smaller than we expected, but it was great for the kids and practicing/learning swimming.

The view

and the little wooden sculpture :)

the kids loved the pool and were in it or the ocean every chance they could. Doug was trying to improve his holding breath time in the background :).

Our 1996 Suzuki 4WD that took us all through Costa Rica.